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I am the mother of four grown children. I first gave birth by cesarean section followed by three vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC), both in hospitals and at home. My experiences shaped my philosophies and fueled my passion for birth work. I have a particular interest in assisting women with previous traumatic birth or life experiences but feel privileged to work with every birthing woman.
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I am certified as a childbirth educator with Birth Works International, the HypnoBirthing Institute and Lamaze International and am certified through the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice as a lactation counselor. I am also certified as a birth doula, approved as a birth doula trainer and trained as a postpartum doula with DONA International, the premier doula organization.
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I provide consumer-oriented, holistic childbirth preparation classes independently and through University MacDonald Education Center. I have extensive experience as a birth doula in hospital and home settings, through hospital-based programs, research studies and in private practice. I have recently begun incorporating postpartum doula work into my repertoire. I also provide lactation counseling services independently and incorporate breastfeeding support and information into my education and doula services.
As a DONA approved birth doula trainer, I have been providing basic and advanced birth doula workshops since 1997 in the Greater Cleveland area and elsewhere.
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I volunteer my time extensively to support normal birth. As a member of the DONA International Board of Directors, I am currently serving as the President-Elect following five years as the Director of Publications. I also serve as the DONA Grievance Chair and on the Birth Doula Certification and Conference Committees. I am on the steering committee of the Greater Cleveland chapter of the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN), a support and information group providing monthly meetings and community outreach for childbearing couples. As the coordinator of the Doula Network of Northeast Ohio, a non-profit member group of DONA International, I provide support to doulas and a referral service for expectant families. I also serve as the Treasurer and Membership Coordinator of Ohio Friends of Midwives (OFOM), a consumer-based organization that supports and promotes midwifery in Ohio.
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• Pregnancy and birth are normal, natural and healthy processes.
• The knowledge of how to give birth exists within every woman and her innate and instinctual ability to give birth should be recognized and celebrated.
• Information is power and enables parents to make choices regarding pregnancy, labor, birth and parenting that are right for them.
• Women deserve respectful and supportive care and encouragement during pregnancy, birth and mothering.
• Babies and mothers are uniquely connected – physically, spiritually and emotionally throughout pregnancy, birth and for a lifetime.
• A normal, physiologic birth and undisturbed postpartum lead to a healthy start between mothers and babies.
• Breast is best for babies, mothers and society.
• Positive birth and parenting experiences can be facilitated by the caring support of a nurturing and experienced doula.
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